What is intermittent fasting? - Intermittent fasting is a broad term encompassing various eating schedules, all cycling between a period of fasting and non-fasting over a defined period. It commonly involves daily 16-hour fasts and 8 hours of eating, called 16/8.

You don’t have to count calories - This diet is so attractive because it’s seen as saving both money and time, and it also doesn’t specify which foods you should eat but rather when you should eat them.

Controversial takes - Some people believe that IF was just made up by millennials who wanted to make themselves feel better about having to skip meals, while others believe it's just a cleverly disguised and socially acceptable form of anorexia.

Research isn’t as extensive as people think - Many sources claim research “suggests” various benefits, but Harvard Health Publishing stated in 2019 that the studies have been short and limited, and IF has not shown drastically different results compared to normal daily restricting of calories.

Halle Berry - In 2018, Halle Berry revealed her love for IF on Instagram. Speaking with her personal trainer, she said that she usually eats breakfast around 2 pm, but that she's supplementing her vitamins and nutrients.

Scarlett Johansson - For her role as Black Widow, the actress' trainer told Harper's Bazaar that she fasted for around 12 hours each day, and pushed it to 14 or 15 hours depending on her work schedule.

Terry Crews - The fit actor has long been a supporter of IF. He reportedly starts his day at 4:45 am, works out at 6 am, and doesn't eat until 2 pm, explaining that he drinks four to five bottles of water with amino acids in that time period.

Vanessa Hudgens - In 2019, actress Vanessa Hudgens revealed that she's a fan of the 16/8 variation, telling Popsugar that she felt clearer and more energized when she started, but also adding, "It's rough, it's no joke. I'm not gonna lie and say it's easy."

Jack Dorsey - The Twitter CEO took things too far for many people, only eating one very basic meal a day between 6:30 and 9:30 pm, and fasting the whole weekend. Many said this wasn’t wellness, but rather an eating disorder.

Not sustainable long-term - Many people find they feel great at first, but struggle after a little while. IF is not recommended as a long-term diet, and it has the potential to mess up your fitness journey.

If you want to try it, you have to start slow - First and foremost, consult a doctor to make sure this is a viable option for you. Then, start by eating your dinners earlier, or delaying breakfast a few days of the week.

You can’t actually eat whatever you want - To get the benefits of IF, it’s even more important to eat nutritious food. Breaking a fast with unhealthy, high glycemic foods causes a higher increase in inflammatory markers and blood sugar, AKA the opposite of what IF boasts.

You risk losing touch with hunger/fullness cues - According to Shape, many people who try IF start to lose touch with their hunger and fullness cues, making it difficult to establish an overall healthy diet in the long-term.

You risk going overboard - When you starve yourself, many turn to rewards. So, on the 5-2 plan, people eat more than normal on non-fasting days. Many also turn to binge-eating, since appetite hormones in your brain reportedly go into overdrive when you're deprived of food.

Intermittent fasting: The controversial diet celebs love

Jennifer Aniston is on board, but should you be?

If you're the rare person who hasn't heard about intermittent fasting, it's essentially a dieting method of scheduled fasting, restricting your food consumption into a smaller part of the day. It's one of the hottest trends right now, especially among celebrities—many of whom have claimed it's helped them shed pesky weight.

But, as this diet is easily reduced to simply starving yourself a controlled amount every day, many people have strong opinions against the fad. Then again, people who partake in IF (intermittent fasting) claim it's a healthier alternative that boasts many other benefits.

Jennifer Aniston kicked up the debate again as one of the latest stars to express her love for the diet. The actress revealed in October 2019 that she doesn't eat breakfast, but rather only consumes liquids like coffee and celery juice in the morning, leaving the rest of her eating for the final part of the day.

Click through to get a better idea about what IF is, which celebrities advocate for it, the controversy surrounding it, and some helpful tips.